Rejected By My Alpha, Claimed By His Rivals

FOUR: Awakening Blood

Lyra's POV

A strange presence jolted me awake, like a warm hand shaking my shoulder in the dark.

My eyes snapped open and I gasped for air as I lay on the cool ground among the ancient ruins. The night still wrapped everything in shadows, but something felt different now.

My body ached from the fight, yet a gentle pull tugged at my chest, guiding me forward.

"What... what is that?" I whispered, pushing myself up slowly on my elbows. My hair fell messily over my face and I brushed it back with a trembling hand.

I stood up on shaky legs, my torn dress clinging to my skin with dirt and sweat. The crescent Mooncrest mark beneath my collarbone burned warmer than before, sending small tingles through my body.

“Show me where to go.“

I said softly to the empty air around me. The presence felt like a soft wind guiding my steps, pulling me deeper into the ruins where the pillars grew taller and the carvings more detailed.

My bare feet moved carefully over the stone paths, I could smell old moss and faint traces of power in the air, like lightning after a storm.

"Who are you?" I asked out loud, my voice echoing between the stones. "Why are you helping me after I collapsed?"

No words came back, but the pull grew stronger, leading me past the outer pillars toward a hidden inner circle of rocks I had not noticed earlier.

"This feels important," I murmured. “More like old family calling out."

I walked on, prolonging my careful steps as the moonlight grew brighter in the center of the ruins.

My silver-gray eyes scanned the new carvings as I moved, glowing faintly with my wolf's power. The air carried a sweet, ancient scent that made my nose twitch and my heart beat a little faster.

The presence guided me right to a tall stone altar in the middle, covered in intricate marks that seemed to shine when I got close.

I reached out and touched it and a soft glow spread under my fingers. "Look at this," I said to my wolf, my voice full of wonder.

"These symbols match the one on my skin exactly. What does it all mean?"

I traced the lines slowly, feeling warmth flow into my hand and up my arm.

"It is like the stone knows me"

I knelt down and examined the largest stone in front of the altar. The words carved there became clearer in the moonlight, simple and powerful.

"It says the Mooncrest royal line ruled many packs long ago," I read out loud, my breath catching.

"They were wise leaders with shadow power in their blood. The last of them disappeared in a big betrayal and everyone thought the line ended but the blood survived hidden."

I stood up and walked around the altar, my graceful figure casting long shadows.

"This cannot be right, me? Connected to royalty?"

I continued, my fingers brushing more symbols.

"Here it talks about the royal blood carrying special gifts. Shadow shifts for protection, strong healing and the ability to unite wolves when times get dark. The last true heir would be marked with the crescent and born from exile."

My eyes widened as I connected the pieces.

"Wait... that sounds like me. The mark, the exile from Ravenhill after Magnus rejected me. Is this saying I carry the last blood of the Mooncrest royal line?"

I laughed a little in disbelief, but joy mixed with the fear in my chest.

"All this time, I thought I was just a simple omega. Magnus stood there in front of the pack and said I could never be his Luna because I was weak but these stones tell a different story. The Mooncrest line were powerful, they led with fairness and strength that scared their enemies."

I sat on the edge of the altar for a moment, resting my hand on my belly. "And now... this pup inside me carries this blood too. Magnus's child, but with royal power from me."

"Thank you for waking me," I whispered. "I do not know who or what you are, but you showed me this. The Mooncrest royal line was known for bringing peace after wars. They had special rituals under the moon that strengthened their packs and I am the last one? It seems impossible, but the mark on my skin burns true."

I touched the crescent again, feeling the power hum through me.

"My parents never told me any of this maybe they hid it to keep me safe. Now I understand why the neutral lands called to me."

I walked slowly around the inner circle, my bare feet padding on the ancient stones as I kept talking

“Am carrying royal blood, the carvings say they will be shadows and light, choices between revenge and forgiveness. Does that mean war is coming? I have to protect this pup no matter what."

My voice grew stronger. "Magnus rejected us, chose Selene with her confident smile and beta ways but now I see I was never weak. The Mooncrest blood was waiting inside me all along."

The night air grew cooler around me, but the warmth from the stones kept me comfortable.

I sat down again near the altar, resting my back against it, my senses became sharper now, the faint wind through the pillars, the distant night sounds and the steady hum of old magic in the stones.

As I turned to leave the inner circle, a new feeling hit me, the presence shifted suddenly, turning from gentle guidance to sharp warning.

My wolf tensed, ears pricking up. "What is wrong?" I asked quickly. "Do you sense danger coming back?"

The carvings seemed to glow brighter for a moment and a cold wind swept through the ruins. My heart beat faster, the royal blood in my veins reacting with fresh energy.

Something was approaching through the trees, drawn by the awakened power.

I froze in place, my eyes scanning the shadows as the suspense built thick around me.

Little did I know, this discovery had already sent ripples into the night that would change everything.